Report: West Virginia, Big East working on $20 million exit deal

West Virginia and the Big East are reportedly working towards an agreement that would allow the Mountaineers to leave the conference to join the Big 12 in 2012.

According to Brett McMurphy of CBSSports.com, West Virginia would be forced to pay a $20 million exit fee that would satisfy the league and its members.

Currently, West Virginia and the Big East are in litigation with WVU saying that it shouldn’t be held to the league’s current 27-month exit agreement. An agreement between the school and the league would put an end to that.

However, according to sources, West Virginia has reached out to some future Big East members, asking them if they would consider joining the league for the 2012-13 season. The Big East has added several new members including Boise State, SMU, Houston, UCF, San Diego State, and Memphis looking to join in 2013-14. Navy will join the league in football only in 2015.

The settlement is believed to be contingent on the fact the Big East can find a replacement for West Virginia for this season. If the Mountaineers left, that would leave the league with only seven football members.